Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Jan Diomande, Willian Estevao and… Ayyoub Bouaddi. That is the list of the five most valuable teenage footballers in the world, and only one of them is a midfielder. That is why half of Europe — or almost all of the part that can afford him — is chasing him. A player of this profile and level of talent does not appear every year: a footballer who made his Champions League debut before turning 17 and helped Lille defeat both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Europe’s elite competition.🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈 💎Meanwhile, the Cityzens and Lille are in advanced negotiations over a deal, @MatteMoretto adds 🗞️Lille would like to keep him on loan for one more year, whilst City hope… pic.twitter.com/DMIc8UqFAZ— 433 (@433) July 30, 2026 Lille and Manchester City have intensified negotiations over the transfer of young Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who climbed to the top of the English runners-up’s wishlist after an impressive World Cup campaign. The Etihad club’s hierarchy has decided to accelerate the process and is currently in a position that French media describe as “more than pole position” to sign the 19-year-old midfielder, leaving behind several European giants that have also shown interest in the teenager. Alongside official talks between the two clubs, City’s management has established direct contact with the player’s inner circle. The English club’s goal is to secure a five-year contract as quickly as possible for the midfielder, who is seen as Rodri’s long-term successor. Although several clubs are prepared to challenge City’s plans, it is believed that the project presented by Manchester City has a clear advantage in the eyes of Bouaddi’s family.Moroccan wonderkid captivates giants— England and Germany's elite are targeting BouaddiLille president Olivier Letang recently stressed that he never discusses specific figures publicly, but openly admitted that only a handful of clubs in world football can currently afford a player of Bouaddi’s quality and age. It is believed that Lille are asking for a fixed fee of 100 million euros, while City hope to complete the deal for 90 million plus a further 10 million in bonuses. A key moment in Bouaddi’s career came at international level in March of this year, when he chose to represent Morocco, the country of his family roots, at senior level. The decision has already proved historic for the Atlas Lions. At the recently concluded World Cup, Bouaddi was, alongside Ismael Saibari, Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Bono, one of the team’s four most important players.##NAJAVA_MECA_9868155##After progressing through every youth level with France, where many predicted a brilliant future for him in the national team, the young midfielder made a difficult choice and immediately became one of the tournament’s standout young players. He impressed the football world from the very beginning, especially in Morocco’s draw against powerful Brazil, where he took control of midfield and delivered an almost flawless performance. Those displays on the biggest stage convinced Manchester City’s executives to launch an immediate offensive and try to complete what could become one of the defining transfers of the summer window.